In December 2023 law no. 110/2023 was approved by Alþingi on amendments to law no. 6/2002 on tobacco control. The law includes the implementation of The European Tobacco Products Directive (TPD) and will lead to many changes in the trade in tobacco products and herbal products for smoking.

The new law took effect on January 11th  2024 but some provisions of the law will take effect later. That deadline is for 6, 12, 16 or 48 months. The law states that that the Ministry of Health will issue new regulations that provide more detail on certain aspects, and older regulations may also be expected to change.

Key dates

• July 11th 2024
  The deadline for submitting information about products on the market to ÁTVR expires (Article 6, paragraph 1, point b).
• January 11th 2025
  Provisions on labeling and packaging come into effect (Article 6, point d)
• May 11th 2025
  Provisions on traceability, registration and security come into effect (Article 6 points e, f and g)
• January 11th 2028
  Provisions on ingredients and characteristic flavors (including menthol) take effect (Article 6, point c)

A regulation regarding labelling, packaging and other things has been published (1250/2024).

The regulation comes into force May 1st 2025 except for article 20 on plain packaging that comes into force May 1st 2027. 

In the regulation allows import of tobacco products to use the labelling and packaging requirements of regulation 790/2011 until May 1st 2026 and selling until November 1st 2026.
 

The deadline for submitting information on products on market was July 11th 2024. 

Information on all new tobacco products and modifications needs to be provided prior to marketing. 

For novel tobacco products (e.g. heated tobacco product) information needs to be submitted 6 months before planned marketing.

Information will be submitted to EU-SEG in the future. 

Until Iceland gains access to EU-SEG information on products is to be delivered through tobaksskyrslur@atvr.is OR at Studlahals 2, 110 Reykjavik (e.g. on a USB drive).

Producers/importers need to submit annual reporting for for sales volumes per brand and type. Annual reports for sales in 2024 are to be submitted no later than May 1, 2025.  

ATVR will not ask for annual reports for sales in year 2023.  Annual reports are to be submitted to ATVR via EU-SEG.

One of the main changes that the new law will bring is that all unit packets of tobacco products that will be sold in Iceland must be marked with a unique identifier. This will make it possible to track the product's journey from the manufacturers to the first retailer. Thus, manufacturers, importers, distributors and wholesalers need to scan products in and out to confirm which product is in which place and when.

A new regulation for track and trace is being developed in the Ministery of Health.

The arrangement of the track and trace and how it relates to ÁTVR will be presented in more detail later.

ÁTVR has been entrusted with the task of overseeing the implementation and supervision of certain aspects of the law. That includes for example reporting of ingredients and emissions, characteristic taste, labeling and packaging, traceability, registration and security features.

The law specifies how ÁTVR can carry out its role as a regulator, which includes the authority to demand information, inspect products and take samples of products for research. ÁTVR can impose reprimands and daily fines for violations of rules, as well as recall products or ban sales if this is deemed necessary. In addition, ÁTVR can seize and dispose of products if deemed necessary. The new law also gives ÁTVR the authority to impose administrative fines as well as the authority to collect fees for certain projects.

ÁTVR encourages stakeholders to familiarize themselves with the regulatory framework. Manufacturers, importers and distributors are particularly encouraged to contact their suppliers regarding the changes. Links to the main laws and regulations can be found below.